There has been overwhelming support for the restoration of knighthoods among principal or distinguished companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Almost eighty five per cent of these distinguished New Zealanders decided to accept the title “ Sir “ or “Dame”. Adam Ray reported on New Zealand 3 TV news (1/8) that All Black Colin Meads and Olympic runner Sir Peter Snell had accepted.

Not all of the fiteen per cent who decided not to accept a title did so because of any objection to the restoration of titles. The actor Sam Neill explained that a title was not approriate at this stage of his life.

He said: ‘‘All modesty aside, I find the idea of a title for myself just too grand at this time of my life,( “No sir: actor rejects title” Matt Theunissen, Sun Herald, 2 Auhgust,2009)

The decision of the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to restore titles seems to have been well received. When will Australia follow?